Happy To-To My Si-mee!

My sweet baby Simon is one year old! It's amazing how the more kids you have, the faster they grow up. Simon shares his birthday with Grandma Hawkes, as well as Punxatawnie Phil, the groundhog who always sees his shadow. Has he ever not seen his shadow? And who started that weird tradition? Well, Simon had a good birthday, and he got a fun new toy that he has not had a chance to play with because of River and Boston.



Cake decorated by cousin Haddi- thanks Had!

Even though he's a little sick, he's still smilin'!

River's trying to hold Simon's one finger

Madam President

Today was my first day as Primary President- yes, that's right, I just got called to be the Primary President in our ward. I guess someone must have seen me in the Ensign and saw something special. Anyway, it has been a lot of fun and a lot of work to get everything ready for the new year. I made a little painting for the primary kids to put their head in when they are spotlighted. They put their face in the painting, we sing them a song, they feel special, they get a treat. Boston is so excited to have his mom in primary with him, and River just tells me not to embarass him in front of his friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSTON!!!!!

Yesterday was Boston's 4th birthday. I tried to keep him three as long as I could, but he wanted to turn four anyway. But this birthday is one for the books that we will all remember for years to come. We had his party on Saturday night at Green Canyon Hot Springs. Boston and I had prepared all day for the party, and made a cute cake with a snowmachine, trails, and rocks on it. We all got in the car to go to the party, and River, not knowing he was sitting right above the birthday cake, kicked off his dirty, snowy winter boots, and they landed smack in the middle of Boston's beautiful cake. By the time I realized it, we were already there, the damage was done, and Boston was in a major tizzy. He wailed and cried from the backseat, "You wooind my boufday, Wib-or!" It was a sad scene. When we arrived at the pool, everyone was greeted by Boston's screams of disappointment. Luckily, grandma and grandpa Hawkes were on their way from Rexburg, so we hurried and called and asked them to pick up a new cake for Boston. They saved the day, and Boston was immediately happy when he heard what they were bringing. Here are some highlights of the night:

Before the dreaded incident....

...and after. This poor cake was beyond repair. But it still tasted great!

Faren was a little embarassed, but this was the ONLY thing Boston wanted for his birthday. He calls it his "Stove Oven" , and wants to use it every day. Hey, you can't blame the kid for wanting it- he spends all day with his mom baking treats and making food! And just look how extremely happy he is to have it. At least it's not pink or purple, but there is a girl on the front of the box....

This game is not quite as fun as it looks on the commercials-FYI

Here's the cake that saved the day- thanks mom!

More b day gifts. This kid made a haul- only because toys are so cheap right now because of after Christmas sales. Boston has been such a joy to have for our son- he's always so loving and snuggly, and he always wants to just sit with me and play with my hair and talk about anything and everything. Of all of our kids, I'd say he's the most like I was when I was little (Avery). He's pretty quiet and shy and just likes to stay at home with the family. He hates it when his socks get bunched up in his shoes, and he freaks out if there is one drop of water on his clothes- he must change them immediately! But he is so much fun with all his jokes and funny sayings, and I am really enjoying this age he is right now. I know I will miss my 3 yr. old Boston when he's a teenager and doesn't like me anymore. But for now, Happy Birthday Boston!

Santa Claus came to town!

On Christmas Eve we went to the Bancroft community Christmas Party- (actually, we only made it for the end of the party because that's when Santa comes). Each of the Eddins boys had a different reaction to Santa:

Simon was a little confused who this man with the giant beard was.

Of course Boston would be playing with Santa's beard- he has always loved hair. For Christmas, Boston wanted a train and some Moon Sand, but he didn't dare ask Santa for both. After he got home from seeing Santa, Faren asked him if he asked Santa for the train and Moon Sand. Boston said, "No, I only asked for the train... I didn't want to be greedy. (pronounced "gweedy")

River is all serious business. "Now let's get down to brass tax, Santa..."

The boys all went snowmachining one day after Christmas. This is what Boston looked like when he came in from the cold. He was "mitherable".

Christmas with the Eddins 2008!

Simon's first Christmas!

River stayed at Grandma's house for a week, and he still didn't want to come home.

Boston, Ryann, and River opening their jammies on Christmas Eve.

Thanks Roy and Myrna for all your hospitality and all the fun we had at your house. We always look forward to coming over because we know it will be a great time. We love you!

Need an autograph? Take a number...

Did anyone see the new December issue of The Ensign? Your favorite Eddins Family just happens to be featured in an article! We have an artist in our ward who works for the Ensign as an illustrator. He uses people from our ward all the time for his models in his paintings. One day we just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and he decided to use us as his models. Needless to say, I (Avery) was so stoked to do this because I knew this would be my "foot in the door" to jumpstart my modeling career! As you can tell from the picture, I am very excited to be in it. Faren is in the background in the green jacket, and River and Boston are playing in the sandbox in the corner. The other kids in the painting are our neighbors, the Wiegman's. So I expect all of you to tear out your page and scrapbook it for life, because now you can all say that you know someone who is famous.

My Latest Project

I saw these cute paintings in a catalog, but they were $40 a piece! So I grabbed my trusty toll paints and bought some cheap canvases, and Wa- la! Now Simon has something to hang on his wall! I love making things like this- if anyone has any more cute homemade ideas, let me know.

Isn't this boy the cutest? I think he might just be our best looking one so far...